One afternoon in 2022, something on the Internet caught my eye:a tiny hedgehog (刺猬) held by a big hand. The post read: “HELP! My hedgehog abandoned (抛弃) her two babies, and I cannot raise both of them because I have to go to school fulltime. Good home with experience needed as soon as possible!”
I had no experience with baby hedgehogs. I was an animal person through and through and had raised cats, dogs, birds, and guinea pigs. But this tiny animal was new to me, and it touched me that he was abandoned, that maybe I could love him and be the best mom for him.
I wrote the most heartfelt email I could. That was how I found my Louie. True to my word, he was my baby. Louie didn’t know he was a hedgehog. He never curled (蜷缩) into a ball, and he liked my two cats, no fear. The cats, however, were afraid of him, as he often moved into the room, running after the cats and blocking my way.
By the time he reached old age, Louie had only three feet. However, he still managed to climb the stairs to visit other animals. He helped me realize my dream of hedgehog photography, a hobby that began during childhood with cats and dollhouses. I love showing off his modeling.
Life has meaning because of the purpose we have. Louie needed a good home and mom, and in return, I got to be a good mother and be needed. Hedgehogs require great amounts of patience, trust, and knowledge—but the payoff (回报) is pretty great.
4. The author got Louie from
.
A.a pet shop | B.a family friend |
C.a hedgehog owner | D.a hedgehog rescue center |
5. How did Louie seem to feel at the author’s home?
A.Frightened. | B.Relaxed. | C.Lonely. | D.Tired. |
6. What can we learn about Louie from paragraph 4?
A.He disliked climbing stairs. | B.He enjoyed being left alone. |
C.He always refused to be in photos. | D.He was active despite his difficulty in moving. |
7. What does the author say about raising Louie?
A.It was easier than expected. | B.It gave her a sense of safety. |
C.It made her lose her patience. | D.It was satisfying and meaningful. |